The New Dirty Dozen: 22 Foods to Eat Organic

Here are the latest culprits full of pesticide residue, plus more you should also know.

Here are the latest culprits full of pesticide residue, plus 10 more you should also know.

More

view gallery

01of25

01Of25

01Of25

What You Need to Know

What You Need to Know

Each year the Environmental Working Group releases its annual dirty dozen list — a list of foods that you should always, whenever possible, buy organic. The group analyzes Department of Agriculture data about pesticide residue and ranks foods based on how much or little pesticide residue they have. The group has estimated that individuals can reduce their exposure by 80% if they switch to organic when buying those 12 foods.

But we went one step further and included produce that has made the list in the past, as well as information about pesticides used to produce meat, dairy, and some other favorite foods that aren't on Environmental Working Group's latest dirty dozen list.

Noel Hendrickson / Getty Images

01Of25

Apples

Apples

Apples consistently rank near the top of the annual dirty dozen list. More than 45 different pesticides have been detected on apples, because fungus and insect threats prompt farmers to spray various chemicals on their orchards. Not surprisingly, pesticide residue is also found in apple juice and apple sauce, making all apple products smart foods to buy organic.

What You Need to Know

Each year the Environmental Working Group releases its annual dirty dozen list — a list of foods that you should always, whenever possible, buy organic. The group analyzes Department of Agriculture data about pesticide residue and ranks foods based on how much or little pesticide residue they have. The group has estimated that individuals can reduce their exposure by 80% if they switch to organic when buying those 12 foods.

But we went one step further and included produce that has made the list in the past, as well as information about pesticides used to produce meat, dairy, and some other favorite foods that aren't on Environmental Working Group's latest dirty dozen list.

Noel Hendrickson / Getty Images

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

2Of25

Apples

Apples consistently rank near the top of the annual dirty dozen list. More than 45 different pesticides have been detected on apples, because fungus and insect threats prompt farmers to spray various chemicals on their orchards. Not surprisingly, pesticide residue is also found in apple juice and apple sauce, making all apple products smart foods to buy organic.

Strawberries

Strawberries are always on the list of dirty dozen foods, in part because fungus prompts farmers to spray, and pesticide residue remains on berries sold at market. More than 40 different pesticides have been found on strawberries, though fewer are found on frozen strawberries.

Spinach

Leading the leafy green pesticide residue category is spinach, with more than 50 different pesticides. (While frozen spinach has nearly as many, canned has had fewer detected pesticides.)

Michael Balderas / Istock

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

8Of25

Sweet Bell Peppers

Another food that usually makes the dirty dozen list because it tends to have high pesticide residue is the sweet bell pepper, in all of its colorful varieties. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers.

Stockdisc

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9Of25

Nectarines (Imported)

Nectarines, at least imported ones, are among the most highly contaminated tree fruits. Domestic nectarines don't test with as much pesticide residue, but overall 33 pesticides have been detected on nectarines.

Can't find organic nectarines? Try pineapple, papaya or mango.

Christoph Hähnel / Istock

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10Of25

Cucumbers

Cucumbers might be laced with as many as 86 different pesticides that remain on the vegetable's skin when it's time for salad-making. Peeling the skin off may reduce your chances of ingesting some of them.